THERE’S SOMETHING WONDERFUL ABOUT GETTING A GIFT OUT OF THE BLUE. Whether it’s a care package from home, rediscovering your favorite childhood toy, or finding $20 in an old pair of jeans — gifts are exciting. For a few moments, your heart is content because you’ve just received a treasure you weren’t expecting. Believe it or not, we can apply that same idea to our Bible study time. Do you grasp the value of what you’ve received in the Word of God? And more importantly, are you intentional about digging deep into it to discover all … [Read more...]
Do Something
We live in a word-saturated world. We don't have to look far to find opinions; they find us. Glance through a blog, read a wall-post, scroll through your tweets, or flip through a textbook and you'll hear hundreds of voices clamoring to persuade you. Friends, professors, authors, coworkers, and the media argue controversial issues. Don't misunderstand; communication is great—we're wired for it. But something powerful happens when we replace talk with action, debating with doing, and speaking with serving. So, how do we do this? … [Read more...]
7 Ways to Stick With Your Daily Bible Reading
So you'd like to begin spending time with God daily? It's a noble goal and one that every Christian should strive for. Whatever it is that has moved you to act, you'll have a better chance of developing a daily habit of time with God if you follow these seven tips for nurturing a daily devotional time with God. 1. Pick a time. Make it a priority by calendaring it as you would any other important meeting. We set appointments for much less important things like oil changes, haircuts, and lunches. Set a specific time to meet with Him … [Read more...]
Lord, Have Mercy!
Éleos is Greek for “mercy” as it is defined by loyalty to God’s covenant; pity; compassion. God’s éleos is stunning, and the Book of Nehemiah highlights it along with our need for a Savior and the lengths He goes to prove His love and mercy to us. In Nehemiah 9:6, the people begin praising the Lord, rehearsing all the wonderful things He did from Abram to the present, beautifully recounting the mercy of the Lord. Then in verse 16, their prayer takes a turn. “But our ancestors acted arrogantly; they became stiff-necked and did … [Read more...]
How To Reach The Unchurched In A Postmodern Culture
It was a cool winter morning as I made my way through the door of my favorite getaway. I was the first person to enter, carrying my computer bag packed full of books. The Jatema Coffee sign hadn’t even been turned on yet. The chill in my bones began to melt when I caught the scent of scones, bagels, and fresh-brewed coffee. In only a few seconds, I felt right at home, greeting my friend behind the counter and mentally preparing for another morning of serious writing at my favorite place. “What would you like today, Bryan?” Jason … [Read more...]
Why Fast and Easy Isn’t Always Effective
Fast, easy, and effective. It’s the ongoing chant of our culture that feeds the monster of “your way, right away.” Essentially, credit cards have become the ultimate “fast pass” of our generation. But rather than moving us ahead on life’s great adventure ride, credit cards often put us on the fast track to debt, delinquency, and destruction. So before you swipe and go, consider these four reasons credit cards are a bad idea. Whose Money Is It, Anyway? Spending money is easy — especially when it’s not yours. Before submitting to … [Read more...]
Does Prayer Really Change Things?
I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God, it changes me. ~ C.S. Lewis In the early days of my college journey, I began asking questions concerning the significance of prayer. I grew up going to church, and my family placed an important emphasis upon praying together. I heard my parents pray on a regular basis. I had Sunday School teachers who prayed aloud before me. I prayed consistently myself. But as a young … [Read more...]
3 Easy Ways to Share the Gospel
If you're anything like me, witnessing comes super-easily. It seems I can winsomely turn every conversation I have back to the foundations of the gospel, have people laughing, nodding their head in agreement, crying, and saying, "Amen!" within just a few minutes. I quote a verse, and people cry out, "Please, more truth, Ben!" I sing a hymn while walking down the sidewalk, and people never look at me like I'm a freak … Nay, they begin singing along, raising their hands in worship. I just have to encourage them not to close their eyes … [Read more...]
4 Key Questions For A Ministry In Decline
If you've been in a ministry leadership role with college students or young adults for any amount of time, you've seen it happen. If it hasn't happened to you yet, it will. Here’s the scenario: Your ministry is booming. People are showing up. Everyone seems engaged with others. There’s a general sense that you have things figured out in the collegiate/young adult ministry model. And then it happens. The bottom drops out from under you with no warning. Suddenly, people are skipping your Sunday morning gathering time. The missions … [Read more...]
The Ugly Truth About College Students And The Gospel
Here’s the ugly truth about college students and sharing Christ: Based on our understanding from research and personal experience, it’s clear that typical Christian college students do not regularly share their faith. Most Christian collegians have never even attempted to share the gospel with another person. Eating the Elephant of Gospel Cloistering In October 2011, a group of college ministry leaders gathered for an evangelism think tank to process the problem of Christian college students cloistering, or secluding, the … [Read more...]
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